After 11 rounds of action in season 27 of the Final league, newly promoted RAD United FCB led the way with 29 points, while Helsingfors RG were trying to keep up in second place with 23 points, giving RAD a 6 point advantage with 9 points to play for. Last seasons winners, White Shadows were struggling this time around as they currently sat in sixth position, well and truly in a relegation dog fight. FC Maurerna were looking dead and buried in seventh spot with just 8 points and previous winners and powerhouse Glory Seekers were rooted to the bottom and already relegated with just 3 points on the board. Glory Seekers are in true need of restoration and new manager, Black_Lakers certainly has a lot of work to do, to turn the once dominant side into a big team again.

On to round 12 and it looked only a matter of time before RAD Untied FCB would wrap up the league and they did just that. A 4-1 victory at home to Glory Seekers, coupled with a 0-0 draw in the Helsingfors RG game, meant that RAD United had an 8 point gap, with only 6 points left to play for. RAD manager Raduccu had taken charge of the team in season 23, winning division 3a. From there, the team spent 2 seasons in division 2, winning 2d in season 25. RAD United then went straight in to the top flight after spending just 1 season in division 1b, finishing champions. So congratulations go to manager Raduccu for taking the Final League crown in the first season. Of course, there is something else left to play for, for Raduccu, that is an unbeaten league season, as so far the team have played 12, won 10 and drew 2.

Meanwhile White Shadows managed to grab a win against the now officially relegated FC Maurerna, after defeating them 2-1 away from home. Adolf Christ now slipped into the relegation zone after a 1-0 away defeat to third placed Raslatt SK.

Round 13 saw the new champions extend their unbeaten league season with a 3-0 away win over relegated FC Maurerna. Helsingfors RG cemented their position as runners up, following a 4-0 win away to White Shadows, a result that dropped the Shadows into the relegation zone. Third placed Raslatt SK beat the wooden spoon holders of Glory Seekers by 5 goals to one, which meant they would be finishing in third place.

With the top 3 teams all now knowing their fate, there was only the matter of that final relegation spot to be decided upon. Three teams would be fighting it out on the final day, with fourth and fifth on 17 points and of course as reported earlier, White Shadows in the drop zone on 16. The final round of games will see fifth placed Adolf Christ FC take on sixth placed White Shadows at home. United in fourth spot, should be safe as they face Glory Seekers in the last game and have a healthier goal difference to fall back on.

So on to the final round of games and firstly, could RAD United have an unbeaten title wining season? Well the answer to that, was yes. RAD overcame third placed Raslatt SK 2-1 at home, meaning they finished the season with 12 wins and 2 draws. Meanwhile, Helsingfors RG finished their runners up season with a 4-0 home victory over relegated Bezugas FC.

The only thing left to be decided this week was of course the final relegation spot. The main spotlight was of course on the Adolf Christ FC v White Shadows match. Adolf Christ took full advantage of being at home and ran out 1-0 winners in a tight game, which ensured safety for them, but relegation for White Shadows. Also of note this week, Glory Seekers who had managed only 3 points this season, doubled their tally to 6, after a 4-2 away win. However despite the win, they had claimed the wooden spoon for last place.

So congratulations go to RAD United for an unbeaten league winning season. We managed to grab a few words from manager, Raduccu,

XD - Congratulations on the league win, you must be very proud of your team and your efforts?

Thanks for the congratulations, I am indeed very proud and happy for getting this great achievement.

XD - Since taking over the team in season 23, you have masterminded their rise to the top flight. Are you surprised you managed to get the title in your first season? Especially undefeated?

When I took over this team, valuable as it was, I decided first to promote her and also to try and increase the value of the individual players. I managed to do both things, and over time the results have brought us top flight football. I am surprised we won the league undefeated, especially as the teams with whom we are competing against are very strong and experienced, and the fact that I finished unbeaten comes to certify once again it that we have a great team.

XD - XCL football for you next season, you must be looking forward to that?

The XCL will be very difficult, but we already used to playing strong matches and I hope to represent the league honourably.

XD - Is there any team or manager that you would love to play against in the group stages and how far do you think you can go?

All the teams that qualify to the XCL are very strong, and it's hard to prefer someone in the hope top get an easier match. I do not propose any objective in XCL, but to try to do my best in every game.

XD - Where do you see the team in 2-3 seasons time?

Regardless of how things will develop with the team, I'm going to stay here in the future and succeed together. I will of course try to maintain as high a league position as possible. I aim to be doing some changes in the future, as there are plenty of players who expect to quit soon.

XD - Thank you for talking to us and congratulations once again. Is there anything you would like to add or say to your fellow managers?

Thank you and though I'm not able to give advice, I would say that if all managers persevere in what they do, then results will come.

The final of the cup saw manager division 1a league leaders The Old Lady managed by Yolle, take on division 2c team Mirandela Gorilas, managed by Theacher. The Old Lady lined up in a traditional 4:4:2 formation with a normal playing style and a varied offence. They had also adopted a normal defence and decided to have a bruising mentality. The Gorilas on the other hand had opted for a cautious 5:3:2, using through plays and tightening the wings. Unlike their opponents, they adopted a normal aggression under the stewardship of S5 H5 referee Warren Peace.

The match kicked off and just 2 minutes into the game the Gorilas suffered a slight injury to forward Lundell. However the knock was only a slight one, and the player was able to run it off. Drama in the 14th minute saw The Old Lady awarded a penalty. Captain Gramoz Thaqi put the ball on the spot as he looked to give his side the early advantage. However the kick was a poor one and the ball flew over the crossbar and into row Z, knocking a pie out of the hands of a fan.

Dangerous play in the 38th minute saw Old Lady defender Ansel Chaplain see yellow and then 4 minutes later the defence was handed a big blow. Gramz Thaqi, the Old Lady captain who had earlier missed from the spot had now suffered an injury and had to be substituted. Referee Warren Peace blew for half time and both sides were deadlocked as they went inside for the team talk. The Old Lady had the better of the first half with 64% of the possession, but the penalty was the only chance of the game so far.

Half Time The Old Lady 0-0 Mirandela Gorilas

The second half got under way and only time would tell if the substitution to The Old Lady captain would have any effect.

In the 56th minute The Old Lady created a glorious chance to take the lead as Denny Aschberg found space in the box. However, he sent his diving header wide of the target. Just 6 minutes later and The Old Lady had another chance to break the deadlock. This time Obb Apisarnthanaraz broke free, but his side footed effort went straight to the keeper. The Old Lady were coping well without their captain and it seemed like only a matter of time before they were to take the lead.

However, as we know, football does not follow a script and for all of their possession, The Old Lady were made to be punished in the 82nd minute. Mirandela Gorilas finally fashioned themselves a chance at goal and Fumao Embriagado sent a lob header goal wards which beat the keeper and nestled into the back of the net. Gorilas although only having 36% of possession and only having 1 chance on goal, proved it was all about taking your chances when you got them.

The minutes ticked down and after 3 minutes of time added on, Warren Peace blew the full time whistle. The Old Lady players fell to their knees, while the Mirandela players celebrated joyously.

Full Time The Old Lady 0-1 Mirandela Gorilas (Embriagado 82 pen)

We managed to grab a few words with the winning manager,

XD - Congratulations on the cup win, you must be very proud of your team?

First of all I want to thank you for your presence here in the beautiful city of Mirandela, Portugal. Naturally, I can not pass up the opportunity to invite you all to visit my home land. About my team and this amazing achievement, it is natural that my pride in my players is enormous.

Generally, the top teams are formed by players of advanced ages, who win these trophies. This is not what is happening with the Mirandela Gorilas.

XD - Despite just having 36% of possession and just 1 chance at goal, you managed to grab the win, any consolation words for your opponent?

Well, usually we said that the finals are to win! The approach we have prepared to this game, is the same as in previous rounds, like the game against the IMMORTAL PENGUINS. Of course, we had some luck in some decisive moments of the game, like the missed penalty by the Old Lady. I think that was the moment that motivated us in the game, and made us be sure that the trophy did not escape us.

I will not try to console my opponent, because I admit that, when you lose, anything we can say is little help to decrease their frustration. The only thing I could wish to the Old Lady coach is that he does not have to confront ourselves again... because he will loose once more!

XD - At what point in the season did you think you had a good chance of a good cup run and really go for it?

The game against the IMMORTAL PENGUINS was the key! Never in my pursuit in the cup, did I think I could succeeded in overcoming the 8th round battle against the holder of the title. That victory, in the last minutes, made us believe that this could be our year!

XD - You are currently 4th in division 2, did the cup run halt any promotion aspects?

Like I said above, the team of Mirandela Gorilas are composed of many young people, with a great future, but without the necessary experience to handle two competitions so hard as the League and Cup. Soon we realized that to invest heavily in the cup, would cost us the league! As we had the hope of doing something important in the Cup, we decided to rotate the younger players in the league, to not jeopardize their evolution.

XD - XCL football next season, is there any team or manager that you would love to play against in the group stages?

Honestly I had not thought about that yet! But when you play in a competition like the XCL, we can only hope in playing with the best! We have nothing to lose, and it will be a new experience for the entire group, so I say with some ambition, that opposing teams will need to care about us.

XD - Congratulations once again on the win, is there anything you would like to add or say to your fellow managers?

I just want to thank all my colleagues that they congratulated me for winning yesterday and already make a warning: Prepare yourselves because that was only the first title! The Mirandela Gorillas came to dominate.

A big thanks to the winners for the interviews, and good luck to everyone in season 28